In a double coup for the V&A Waterfront, the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has awarded both Victoria Wharf and the property’s BP Building 4-star ‘Existing Building’ ratings, reflecting the buildings’ high-level environmentally friendly and sustainable operating efficiency.

Victoria Wharf and the BP Building join the Silo District’s No. 1 Silo, which was awarded South Africa’s first ever 6-star ‘As Built’ rating last year, making the V&A Waterfront possibly the greenest precinct in Cape Town.

“Sustainability is an integral part of operations at the V&A Waterfront, and we are committed to leadership in sustainability practices in both our future and current development plans. We are thrilled with the addition of Victoria Wharf and the BP Building to our green-rated buildings because we believe it shows follow-through on our environmental promises, and our genuine commitment to leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations,” said David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront.

The V&A Waterfront’s Victoria Wharf, which houses the bulk of retail trade at the Waterfront in 70 000 m2 of floor space, is the first shopping centre in South Africa to be awarded a 4-star green rating. Similarly, the 9 000 m2 BP Building was the first commercial-scale office development in Cape Town that consciously encompassed green building principles in its design and construction. Both green-star ratings will be valid for three years before the GBCSA’s assessment must be repeated to ensure the sustainability practices have continued.

The GBCSA’s ratings are determined by a building’s performance in a nine categories: management, indoor environmental quality, energy, transport, water, materials, land use and ecology, emissions, and innovation. Each category is divided into credits, which address the initiatives put in place to improve a building’s environmental performance. Victoria Wharf achieved an outstanding 53 out of 59 potential points, leading to its 4-star rating. Not to be outdone, the BP Building received 45 out of 49 points, which also led to its new 4-star rating.

‘Green’ features in the buildings include drip irrigation, lighting controls, electrical sub-metering, a high-performance chilled water plant, use of natural lighting, and, importantly, the introduction of a Green Lease Tenant Criteria Reference Manual, ensuring that not only are the buildings sustainable, but that their tenants enhance the eco-friendly environment.